Mahesh Bhatt is an acclaimed Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his contributions to Hindi cinema. Renowned for his bold narratives and exploration of complex human emotions, Bhatt remains one of the most influential filmmakers in contemporary Indian cinema. Over his career, he has received numerous honours, including five National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards.
Bhatt was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) to filmmaker Nanabhai Bhatt, a Gujarati Hindu Nagar Brahmin, and Shirin Mohammad Ali, a Gujarati Muslim. Among his siblings is noted film producer Mukesh Bhatt. Educated at Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mahesh began working early, taking on summer jobs and creating product advertisements. His entry into cinema came through filmmaker Raj Khosla, under whom he worked as an assistant director.
Bhatt made his mark with Saaransh (1984), a deeply moving film that was screened at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival and became India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His first commercial success came with Naam (1986), followed by a series of acclaimed works that skilfully bridged art-house and mainstream cinema. He founded Vishesh Films in 1987 with his brother Mukesh, a banner that would go on to produce several major hits.
Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Bhatt directed a string of successful and emotionally charged films such as Arth (1982), Daddy (1989), Aashiqui (1990), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), and Sadak (1991)—his highest-grossing film as a director. He received the National Film Award – Special Jury Award for Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) and later won acclaim for Tamanna (1996) and Zakhm (1998), the latter earning the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration.
After Kartoos (1999), Bhatt retired from direction to focus on writing and producing. Under Vishesh Films, he produced several contemporary successes including Raaz (2002), Jism (2003), Murder (2004), Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), Jannat (2008), and Aashiqui 2 (2013). In 2021, however, due to creative differences, he formally parted ways with the company.
On the personal front, Bhatt first married Lorraine Bright (later Kiran Bhatt), with whom he has two children-filmmaker-actress Pooja Bhatt and actor Rahul Bhatt. In 1986, he married actress Soni Razdan, and they have two daughters, author Shaheen Bhatt and actress Alia Bhatt. Influenced by spiritual thinkers like Osho and U.G. Krishnamurti, Bhatt authored A Taste of Life (2009), chronicling his experiences with Krishnamurti.
Politically outspoken, Bhatt supports the Congress Party's secular ideology, though he has criticized its handling of the 1984 Sikh riots. Passionate, provocative, and prolific, Mahesh Bhatt remains a vital voice in Indian cinema.